After archaeologists dig up the artifacts they must also split them up into types and categories. If there wasn’t some form of classification system then we wouldn’t be able to learn about the past as easily as we do. Also our ancestors don’t exactly leave all their stuff in order so it’s our job to do so. Not only must the archaeologists classify the items they find but they must also compare them to other artifacts found elsewhere. Sometimes items may seem similar but sometime cultures would just influence each other. Typology is a very important part of archaeology.
The entire classification process can sometimes be very complicated. The whole process doesn’t just include “throwing” objects into categories; it includes placing them in a type and then comparing them with similar objects and categorizing them even farther. Not only do the archaeologists want to identify the artifact but they also wish to find out the year it originated. All of the classes or categories the artifacts can be placed in involve the obvious categories such as pottery, weapons, jewelry and so on. Once the artifacts are in their categories they then can be placed in sub-groups according to size, color, decoration, and use. Also the artifacts can be classified into handmade or wheel-made. In addition to all of those categories, they are also classified depending on the material used to make it. The classification process can be difficult but it’s worth it in the end.
Categories have always been an important factor in staying organized. The classification system for artifacts found in excavations can have different lengths due to how complicated the artifact is. If we didn’t take each artifact we dig up and classify it into different categories then we may not know as much as we do about the past. Being able to know if an artifact is a weapon or a piece of pottery or what material it is made of can lead to a better understanding of the subject. Classifying artifacts is important because it not only keeps them organized for our current generation but it also will keep the future generations organized and interested in the subject of the past.
The entire classification process can sometimes be very complicated. The whole process doesn’t just include “throwing” objects into categories; it includes placing them in a type and then comparing them with similar objects and categorizing them even farther. Not only do the archaeologists want to identify the artifact but they also wish to find out the year it originated. All of the classes or categories the artifacts can be placed in involve the obvious categories such as pottery, weapons, jewelry and so on. Once the artifacts are in their categories they then can be placed in sub-groups according to size, color, decoration, and use. Also the artifacts can be classified into handmade or wheel-made. In addition to all of those categories, they are also classified depending on the material used to make it. The classification process can be difficult but it’s worth it in the end.
Categories have always been an important factor in staying organized. The classification system for artifacts found in excavations can have different lengths due to how complicated the artifact is. If we didn’t take each artifact we dig up and classify it into different categories then we may not know as much as we do about the past. Being able to know if an artifact is a weapon or a piece of pottery or what material it is made of can lead to a better understanding of the subject. Classifying artifacts is important because it not only keeps them organized for our current generation but it also will keep the future generations organized and interested in the subject of the past.